Lecture 3 - Working Memory Flashcards
1
Q
What is Working Memory?
A
- All our active processing
- Conscious awareness
- Thinking and reasoning
2
Q
What is the Duration and Capacity of the Working Memory?
A
Duration = 20 - 30 seconds
Capacity = 7+-2 bits of information
3
Q
How does Memory Span develop by Age?
A
- Memory Span increases as we age
- Toddlers usually remember 2 bits
- Kindergarteners usually remember 4 bits
4
Q
What is Chunking?
A
- Grouping bits of info together into meaningful chunks
- Each chunk becomes 1 bit
- Conceptual info chunks easily
- Random info harder to chunk
- Strategies = songs, rhymes, patterns
5
Q
What is Element Interactivity?
A
- Degree of interaction required between chunks of info
- Takes up capacity in working memory
- e.g. learning names of muscles (low), learning how muscles move (high)
6
Q
What happens when the Working Memory Load is too high?
A
- Overfull feeling
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble encoding info to LTM because all effort focussed on WM
7
Q
What are Schemas?
A
- Building blocks of LTM
- Occupy 1 bit of info
- Basic = Kindy - putting on seatbelt
- Complex = Adult - driving a car
8
Q
How do we make information processing Automatic?
A
- By practicing
- Important to give students time to practice important knowledge
9
Q
Why is Automaticity important?
A
- Frees up WM space
- Low WM load
- Low element interactivity
10
Q
What are some classroom implications around Working Memory?
A
- Don’t overload working memory
- Build meaningful schemas
- Help students chunk info together
- Guide attention
